Roc Technologies in conjunction with the National Apprenticeship Service and Newbury College is launching an apprentice scheme to attract and develop talented IT professionals from the local community.
The scheme was launched today with the appointment of Roc's first Apprentice. Mathew Lake joined Roc in July and is undertaking a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals at Newbury College. In addition to his college education, Mathew will be working closely with Roc's experienced delivery professionals across a range of client environments.
Commenting on his new role, Mathew said "it's really tough to break into the IT industry for younger people, so it's great to be given the opportunity to develop my skills".
Local MP for Newbury, Richard Benyon, said "I am particularly pleased to hear that Roc has launched an apprentice scheme giving life-changing opportunities for people in the Newbury area".
Roc's investment in apprentices is driven by a desire to deliver excellence and value to its customers whilst nurturing the brightest technical talent. The scheme further cements Roc's commitment to support the local community in West Berkshire as well as addressing youth unemployment.
"There are a lot of bright and enthusiastic people in West Berkshire with a passion for technology. By harnessing this talent we can serve our customers better and give people a chance to show what they've got to offer" commented Steve Shirley, Operations Director at Roc.
Roc's Directors have made a commitment to employ four apprentices in the first phase of this scheme, working closely with Newbury College.
Pat Frith, Sales and Account Manager at Newbury College said, 'We are delighted to be working with Roc Technologies, supporting them in developing their Apprenticeship programme. Newbury College has provided expertise to many employers in structuring and implementing Apprenticeship programmes, as well as working with small business owners employing individual Apprentices. We are pleased that Roc Technologies has had such a positive experience, and applaud their commitment to nurturing talent".
Newbury College sports students have a new football training venue where they will be able to play competitively thanks to new links developed with Newbury Wardens.
The new facilities located at Pigeons Farm, which are governed by Newbury Wardens are an ideal location for the College students. The links that have been established with the College mean the impressive football pitch will be used regularly by the team throughout the College academic year. It also means the College can host fixtures for both local and national competitor games.
The team will begin training on Monday nights, and will also be able to compete against other Colleges once a week on Wednesday afternoons over the football season. Sports Maker Joe Pegg, who has developed the relationship with Newbury Wardens said, "It is fantastic to have access to such an excellent venue. This will be used for club training and fixtures and will really move us into a position where we can compete competitively. Newbury wardens have been a great support".
The Newbury Wardens are delighted the venue will be utilised by up and coming sports students and said, "We are extremely pleased to have this space being used regularly by the College and we look forward to working more closely with them in the future".
All members of the local community are welcome to come and watch their local College compete in the West Berkshire and English Schools National Competition on Wednesday afternoons between now and March. Please check the events page on our website for match fixtures and times.
Newbury College Health and Social Care students hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning on Wednesday 2 October at 10.30am raising nearly £100 for the Macmillan Cancer Support Unit.
The Health and Social Care Level 2 and 3 students organised and promoted the fundraiser, gathering donations of cakes and treats to be sold on the day. Macmillan's Coffee Mornings have been running since 1991, when 2,600 people registered to hold coffee mornings across the country. Since then it has become Macmillan's biggest fundraising event, raising in total £75 million for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Sports Maker and Enrichment Officer Joe Pegg has been working with the students to co-ordinate and support them in organising the event and said, "It's great to raise money to support such a worthy cause. We work hard at the College to fundraise and it is great to see so many students involved. The students worked really well together and their enthusiasm paid off".
Joe has recently taken up the post of enrichment officer and has developed a new programme of enrichment activities for all students which is aimed at increasing student engagement and participation.
Health and Social Care student Daniella Northcote volunteered for the fundraising enrichment activity and said, "I think it is great to be raising money for a good cause such as Macmillan Cancer Support and I've really enjoyed working with other students to organise the event".
As Newbury College welcomes learners to a new academic year it is also celebrating the success of last year where learners excelled themselves in both their exam results and applications to University for September 2013.
This year the College success rates were 4% above the national average at 88%. Newbury College success rates ranked 29th out of all 224 FE Colleges in England and 8th in the whole of the South East. GCSE Maths results were high with 88% of learners achieving A* to D grades. With good maths and English results the College has equipped its learners to succeed in their careers and to progress further.
The College was also re-accredited with the kite marks for Investors in People and also the Matrix for customer service and its advice and guidance. Principal Dr Anne Murdoch spoke of the success of the College's learners and said, "We are delighted at this year's successes, the results show the hard work and commitment of the students and the Higher Education offers from Russell Group Universities are well deserved".
The Russell Group are the most highly selective universities in the UK and this year saw a number of Newbury College learners progressing with offers from Russell Group Universities, including courses in, Business Management at Cardiff, Southampton and Surrey, Psychology at Surrey and History of Art at Reading.
Newbury College Business Studies Student, Kieran Vass, is heading to Cardiff University to study Business Management. Kieran is really looking forward to starting the next chapter of his academic learning and said, "I really enjoyed my time at Newbury College. It was a great course and stepping stone to Higher Education. It's been a great experience for me and I've learnt a great deal which I will take forward to my degree course".
New learners to Newbury College this September were welcomed to Induction Day last Thursday where they spent an enjoyable day meeting course tutors and their peers in preparation for the next academic year. Students were informed of course expectations to ensure that they are as successful as the previous year, whilst also having the opportunity to take part in fun activities including, sports, zumba, a graffiti workshop, portable climbing wall and martial arts.